Facing Life

Substantial openings and imperial recognition never come to the man who thinks more of amusement than of business, or who depends upon the magic of good luck to get ahead in the world. Only of the diligent man can it be said, "He shall stand before kings."

Science has altered the ways of life in many respects, but not in any respect has it altered the old-fashioned way to success.

By the push of an electric button you can command a hundred mechanical servants to do your bidding, but there is no magic button you can push and command success to come trotting up to serve you.

Modern engineering has turned our public highways into smooth and easy-going roads, but the road to success remains unpaved; it is still the same old rough-and-tumble road of hard work. It is not a road you can streamline over at 70 miles an hour.

Success does not begin with the spectacular; its beginning is marked by the quiet and persistent doing of duty in a small way.

We talk about "lucky hits." But a mere lucky hit does not entitle one to be called a successful man. Real success is something attained, not something that happens to one accidentally. One may come into possession of wealth or some high station by accident of fortune; but that, instead of meaning success, may be the worst thing that could have happened to him. Unless he has previously proven himself by his own exertion and efforts, the chances are that it will result in his undoing.

Usually when a man makes a so-called "lucky hit," it is not so sudden and accidental as it appears. Look behind it, and you will find that he made many "hard hits" before he made his lucky hit.

The signposts that point the way to a successful career, are still the old maxims that call for determination, concentration, plodding industry, thrift, sincerity and honesty. Laugh at these old maxims if you will, but, sooner or later, the laugh will be on you. Be sure of this, there is no sort of engineering by which the road to success can be turned into an easy-going paved road.